2018 NFL Draft Profiles: Saquon Barkley
- Tyler Webb
- Jun 19, 2017
- 2 min read
Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
5’11, 223Lbs Junior 4.48 40 Yard
You may or may not have heard of Saquon Barkley coming into this season, but by the end of it Barkley could be lifting the Heisman trophy in the air, and carry Penn State back to greatness. Going into his 3rd season for the Nittany Lions, he has already racked up over 2,550 yards rushing and 25 touchdowns on the ground. Even crazier, the dynamic rusher did such while only started 20 games for Penn State. Barkley hasn't always been such a desired prospect, coming out of high school he was the 13th ranked running back in the 2015 class according to 247Sports. In 2015, Barkley rushed for nearly 1,100 yards and 7 touchdowns on 5.9 yards a carry, and earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors as a freshman. Then Saquon Barkley put up 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns in his sophomore season and lead the Nittany Lions to a 11-3 season, winning the Big Ten and a Rose Bowl birth. He was also earned 1st Team All-Big Ten honors and Big Ten OPOY.
Barkley is the shiftiest back in this draft, and it almost seems like he hops around the field. He played against many of the toughest defenses in the NCAA, as the Big Ten has produced dozens of NFL caliber players over the past two years. He ran for over 200 yard twice last season, and rushed for 194 yards (7.5 a carry) against Ohio State in 2015. He is a strong runner, who breaks through any form of arm tackle, and has some of the sharpest cutting ability in this class. Even his pass catching is good for a running back, finishing the season with just over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns through the air. Just like Derrius Guice, his biggest weakness would be in his pass blocking, but is something that could be improved through his junior season.
Possible Landing Spots: Top 15
New York Giants - Though Paul Perkin’s is there currently, if the Giants could select a playmaker compared to the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, you take him.
Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford isn’t getting any younger, and with the production the Lions have gotten from their running backs I wouldn’t be surprised if that went that way again.
Baltimore Ravens - The Ravens have missed their running game badly ever since Ray Rice left the team. Saquon Barkley has the same skill as Rice did when he was drafted.
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